The NICE Team
It is sometimes difficult to lose weight and keep it off. It requires a lifestyle change that you can stick with. For some people, having a strong support system to keep you on track helps to achieve success. That's why Community Care Physicians has a team of experts to support those enrolled in our NICE program. Each adolescent will work our team to set goals and develop a plan to meet those goals. The NICE Weight Transitions team consists of:
Primary Care Physician
Your primary care physician is an integral part of this process. You will need a referral from your pediatrician or family physician to enroll in the NICE program. Once you begin the program, your weight management plan and progress notes will be sent to your primary care physician to review and keep in your medical record.
Health Coach
Denisa Hluchova, MHA, is the health coach for NICE, Weight Transitions Program. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Siena College and her Master of Health Administration degree from Hofstra University. Denisa has extensive experience working with both children and adults in physical activity and sports programs, particularly tennis. Her distinguished tennis career has included receiving a Gold Medal at the Empire State Games, serving on community panels including the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and appearing on the National Network "Fox Sports." Denisa's special interests include spending time outdoors, playing sports, exercising and helping to intergrate these activities into the daily lives of families.
Nutritionist
Elyn Zimmerman, BS, CDN, is a New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist and a Health Educator with over 20 years of experience. She received her degree in Nutrition from Cornell University and her Health Educator certification from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts.
She has worked in various settings including George Washington University Medical Center; local WIC programs, Skidmore College, and Myrtle Street Ob/Gyn in Saratoga Springs. Currently she serves at the Whitney M. Young Health Center and maintains her own private practice, Lifeseeds.
Elyn is committed to helping with the colossal task of developing an understanding of eating and maintaining a healthy relationship with food. She looks forward to having the opportunity to work with you.
Behavioral Counselor
Aditi Puranik, MS, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Russell Sage College and her Master of Arts degree in Community and Counseling Psychology from Sage Graduate School. She has worked for T.W. Ponessa and Associates in York, PA as a Behavioral Specialist Consultant/Mobile Therapist and St. Catherine's Center for Children in Albany, NY as a Residential Social Worker. Aditi completed her graduate internship with Clover Patch Programs in play therapy. In this capacity, she performed individual and group play therapy. Aditi's areas of interest include play therapy, emotional behavioral disorders, autism, developmental disabilities, and childhood obesity. She enjoys taking martial arts classes.
Certified Physical Fitness Instructors and Sports Nutritionists
Exercise is an important part of the program. The physical fitness instructors for the NICE Weight Transitions Program are from Sonshine Fitness, a wellness based fitness business dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents and adults through fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices.
Cindi Stone, the Director, has over 20 years of experience and education in the field. Cindi has spent 16 of those years working with children, adolescents, and adults. She has an extensive education in fitness and wellness programming and holds various certifications and memberships with the top industry leaders such as ACE, AFAA and NESTA. Her formal education includes a Bachelor of Science degree and graduate degree work in counseling/psychology now in progress. She, along with all the other trainers at Sonshine Fitness, hold national certifications of a Personal and/or Group Fitness Trainers accredited by the NCCA (National Committee for Certifying Agencies)*
Sonshine Fitness includes several other professional trainers who will be involved in the program. The personal trainers at Sonshine Fitness specialize in providing each client with a total fitness program, individually designed to meet each client’s specific needs and goals. All of the trainers have extensive experience working with different populations, from those just wanting to get in better shape to those battling health and wellness issues. Over the past 6 years, Sonshine Fitness has seen an increase in clients who are battling issues with weight and/or are obese and need a fitness program with nutrional counseling for weight management. With over 20 years of experience and countless success stories, the personal trainers at Sonshine Fitness will help each client choose and implement a fitness program with a nutritional component to match your goals and lifestyle.
*The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) was created in 1987 by NOCA to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs/organizations that assess professional competence.